The Cleveland Cavaliers officially start their road to redemption when they face the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of their 2016 NBA playoffs first round matchup at the Quicken Loans Arena.
Almost one year after losing the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, the Cavs are back and are ready to continue their failed bid last year.
The Cavs enter the NBA playoffs as top seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the eight-seeded Pistons in a series that may prove challenging for Lebron James and the rest of his gang.
James is expected to once again lead the charge for the Cavs and it is in the playoffs where the two-time NBA champ switch his gears to carry a team into the Finals. James have done in the past five season with the Miami Heat and Cleveland, and Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy is aware of what the King is capable of during the postseason.
"Our guys understand this: The LeBron James you see during the year is not gonna be the LeBron James you see in the playoffs," Van Gundy said, reports the Detroit News. "You're gonna have a different guy."
With a healthy lineup heading into the playoffs, the Cavs are hoping to sustain the level of play that earned them a regular season record of 57-25. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love should be ready to contribute for the Cavs, as well as JR Smith and a returning Iman Shumpert, who will be available on Sunday to face Detroit, according to CBS Sports.
Meanwhile, the Pistons have experienced up and downs during the regular season, but was able to finish eighth in the East, getting the final playoff berth. Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond, the Pistons duo who have been carrying the workload for Van Gundy's side this season, will have their first taste of playoff atmosphere, along with mid-season acquisition Tobias Harris.
The Cavs have a decent record of home game wins in last year's playoffs, which the Pistons should be aware of when they visit at the Q Arena. The Pistons may strike a challenge to Cleveland, but the team's inexperience could also be a disadvantage against a seasoned Cavs. Cleveland should be able to keep the Pistons at bay in the first game of their best-of-seven series.
Prediction: Cavs 98 - Pistons 86
Live streaming info: Watch the 2016 NBA playoffs Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 1 live via NBA League Pass.